US2025162482A1PendingUtilityA1

Twist coiled polymer actuator inside a seat for position control

Assignee: TOYOTA ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICAPriority: Nov 21, 2023Filed: Nov 21, 2023Published: May 22, 2025
Est. expiryNov 21, 2043(~17.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
D06M 11/83B60N 2/919D06M 11/74D06M 15/333D02G 3/446D02G 3/36D02G 3/34
63
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Claims

Abstract

A twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCPFL) actuator, method, and computer program product for using the TCPFL actuator. A TCPFL actuator may be received, wherein the TCPFL actuator is fabricated from a plurality of TCPFL muscles. The TCPFL actuator may be used to adjust a vehicle component.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCP FL ) actuator for controlling a component comprising:
 receiving a TCP FL  actuator, wherein the TCP FL  actuator is fabricated from a plurality of TCP FL  muscles; and   using the TCP FL  actuator to adjust a vehicle component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TCP FL  actuator adjusts the vehicle component based upon at least one of air temperature and water temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein fabricating the plurality of TCP FL  muscles includes incorporating a resistance wire into the plurality of TCP FL  muscles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein fabricating the plurality of TCP FL  muscles includes utilizing one of a mandrel coiling process and a thermal annealing process. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicular component includes a seat. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising synthesizing a PVA solution, wherein synthesizing the PVA solution includes:
 dissolving an amount of PVA in water to create a solution;   adding mesoporous C, and NiAg metal mesh powder to the solution; and   removing supernatant from the solution.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein coating the TCP FL  with the PVA solution includes:
 placing the TCP FL  in the solution;   shaking the TCP FL  in the solution;   drying the TCP FL  by placing the TCP FL  in a pre-heated environment for a predetermined amount of time; and   crimping the TCP FL .   
     
     
         8 . A computer program product residing on a computer readable storage medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed across one or more processors, causes at least a portion of the one or more processors to perform operations for using a twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCP FL ) actuator comprising:
 receiving a TCP FL  actuator, wherein the TCP FL  actuator is fabricated from a plurality of TCP FL  muscles; and   using the TCP FL  actuator to adjust a vehicle component.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the TCP FL  actuator adjusts the vehicle component based upon at least one of air temperature and water temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein fabricating the plurality of TCP FL  muscles includes incorporating a resistance wire into the plurality of TCP FL  muscles. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein fabricating the plurality of TCP FL  muscles includes utilizing one of a mandrel coiling process and a thermal annealing process. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the vehicular component includes a seat. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise synthesizing a PVA solution, wherein synthesizing the PVA solution includes:
 dissolving an amount of PVA in water to create a solution;   adding mesoporous C, and NiAg metal mesh powder to the solution; and   removing supernatant from the solution.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein coating the TCP FL  with the PVA solution includes:
 placing the TCP FL  in the solution;   shaking the TCP FL  in the solution;   drying the TCP FL  by placing the TCP FL  in a pre-heated environment for a predetermined amount of time; and   crimping the TCP FL .   
     
     
         15 . A twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCP FL ) actuator for adjusting a vehicle component comprising:
 a TCP FL  actuator, wherein the TCP FL  actuator is fabricated from a plurality of TCP FL  muscles; and   a vehicle component operatively connected to the TCP FL  actuator enabling adjustment of the vehicle component via the TCP FL  actuator.   
     
     
         16 . The TCP FL  actuator of  claim 15 , wherein the TCP FL  actuator adjusts the vehicle component based upon at least one of air temperature and water temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The TCP FL  actuator of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of TCP FL  muscles includes a resistance wire incorporated into the plurality of TCP FL  muscles. 
     
     
         18 . The TCP FL  actuator of  claim 15 , wherein one of a mandrel coiling process and a thermal annealing process are utilized to fabricate the plurality of TCP FL  muscles. 
     
     
         19 . The TCP FL  actuator of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise synthesizing a PVA solution, wherein the PVA solution is synthesized by at least one of:
 an amount of PVA dissolved in water to create a solution;   mesoporous C, and NiAg metal mesh powder added to the solution; and   supernatant removed from the solution.   
     
     
         20 . The TCP FL  actuator of  claim 19 , wherein the TCP FL  is coated with the PVA solution by at least one of:
 the TCP FL  placed in the solution;   the TCP FL  shaken in the solution;   the TCP FL  dried by placing the TCP FL  in a pre-heated environment for a predetermined amount of time; and   wherein the TCP FL  is crimped.

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